THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state-level World No Tobacco Day observance will be held here at Bhagyamala auditorium in Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium complex here on Thursday. Awareness rally, public meet and a seminar will mark the campaign, which has ‘Tobacco industry interference’ as its theme. The event will mark the capping of similar initiatives at around 4,000 centres up to the grama panchayat level in the State. Health and Devaswom Minister V S Sivakumar will inaugurate the state-level conclave at 9 am, with K Muraleedharan MLA in the presidential chair. The awareness rally will commence from the General Hospital Junction at 8 am. Arogya Keralam State Mission Director Dr M Beena will flag off the rally. The campaign will focus on the need to expose and counter the tobacco industry’s aggressive moves to overcome the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, while more and more countries are trying to fully meet their obligations based on the directives. Educating policy makers and the general public is a thrust area of the drive. Dr A S Pradeep Kumar, additional director of health services; Dr Jayashankar, additional director; Dr K R Thankappan, professor and head of Achutha Menon Centre; and Dr R Jayakrishnan, assistant professor, Community Oncology, Regional Cancer Centre, were present at the press briefing. IDA’s ProgrammesThe Indian Dental Association (IDA) Kerala State branch will also observe the World No Tobacco Day here on Thursday by organising a function at the Martyrs’ Square at 10 am. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob will deliver the inaugural address and oath. V T Balaram MLA will also address the meet and launch a signature campaign against tobacco. Dr P Anish, programme coordinator, No Tobacco Day Observation, will deliver a message. Dr C P John, president, IDA, Thiruvananthapuram, will welcome the gathering. Dr M Raveendranath, president, IDA, Kerala, will preside over the function.
Comments
0 comment